Jeong, Il-Young

Abstract
This article seeks to analyze the security dilemma between North Korea and Japan. In response to North Korea’s missile test launch in July 2009 and nuclear test in October 2006 and May 2009, Japan has made continuous efforts to establish a joint missile defense (MD) system with the United States. As a consequence of the North Korean nuclear and missile test an arms race could be ignited in the region of Northeast Asia. Based on the situation in Northeast Asia, this article attempts to makes three points to solve the security dilemma, primarily between North Korea and Japan. First, North Korea should solve the uncertainties about the nuclear program, and long-range missiles and the matter of Japanese abductees, who are suspected of still being in North Korea. Second, both countries should separate the two issues in order to effectively resolve them. There should be one issue on every negotiation table especially for nuclear weapons, missile launches, and the issue of Japanese abductees. Third, political pressure is necessary to solve the commitment problem. China and the U.S. should uphold all agreements made with both countries including during the Six-Party Talks.
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